From left: TOPS 206 members Pam Wakelin, Shirley Rice, Virginia Wright, June Caton, Carol Verille, and Ernestine Lincoln hold a sign commemorating the group’s 25th anniversary. (Abigail Adams photo)
For 25 years, a group has gathered at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church for members to support each other as they work toward their weight-loss goals. At 10 a.m. Sept. 11, the members of TOPS 206 will celebrate their silver anniversary with an open house at the church.
The group encourages members of other TOPS groups and anyone who might like to join to attend, said member Shirley Rice.
TOPS Club Inc., the original weight-loss support group, according to its website, is a nonprofit with groups throughout the U.S. and Canada.
TOPS, which stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly, is a simple and straightforward weight-loss method focused on accountability and collective support. The 14 members of TOPS 206 meet every Monday to weigh in, exercise, socialize, and play games that make achieving each individual’s weight-loss goals fun, Rice said.
“We’re accountable to ourselves and to each other,” Rice said.
The support from other members of the group “is one of the biggest things” that helps members achieve their ideal weight, member June Caton said.
Once a member achieves their weight-loss goal, the group support helps maintain it, Rice said.
The members of TOPS 206 gather for their weekly meeting in Alna on Monday, Aug. 28. (Abigail Adams photo)
Members Virginia Wright and Ernestine Lincoln established TOPS 206 in Alna. Both had belonged to a TOPS group in Coopers Mills, but wanted a smaller, more intimate group. Lincoln arranged for the group to meet at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church.
The group began with seven members, Rice said. Through word of mouth and some minimal advertising, the group grew to its current membership of 14. Some had been members of other TOPS groups, while some were new to the program.
Caton has been a TOPS member for 33 years. She first attended another TOPS group, but went to a meeting in Alna and switched groups. “I liked what I saw,” she said. The camaraderie of the group and “Virginia’s smile” kept her coming back.
Pam Wakelin is a new member. She heard about the Alna group through friends, and was curious. “I’m a newbie,” Wakelin said. “I wanted to try it out.”
On Monday, Sept. 11, the group will celebrate 25 years of collectively achieving and maintaining their weight-loss goals and developing healthy eating and exercise habits. “We have fun here,” Rice said.
TOPS 206 will hold their anniversary party and open house at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, 254 Head Tide Road, Alna, at 10 a.m. For more information, call 549-0023.
